MANCHESTER UNITED’S FIRST game under new manager Louis van Gaal went incredibly well. New signings blossomed, key players delivered, squad players made an impact and there was a glut of goals scored.
But more importantly, a side that has been so relentlessly based around 4-4-2 and its minor variations for so long offered a radical tactical switch. Van Gaal put his faith in the 3-4-3 formation he implemented with so much success as manager of the Dutch national team.
But what does this mean for Manchester United’s style of play ahead of the new campaign and what can we expect?
In the aftermath of the 0-7 thrashing of a hapless LA Galaxy side, Van Gaal was understandably ebullient. But when speaking about the system change, he offered a basic but illuminating reason for it:
We have four No10s, so the selection is not balanced in my eyes. I have decided to play this system because of the quality of the players.”
Under David Moyes, United played a rigid 4-2-3-1 and it led to problems. Up top, there wasn’t room for a dual threat of Van Persie and Rooney. Behind them, there was space for one play-maker and two wide players. But, one slight snag: United had a litany of number 10s and inconsistent wingers. It led to the centrally-minded Shinji Kagawa being played out of position (as he was under Alex Ferguson too) where, unsurprisingly, he struggled. Danny Welbeck was usually pushed wide where his all-round energy was rightfully lauded but he wished to play through the middle and closer to goal. The formation ensured that wasn’t possible.
Behind them, there was a double-pivot, usually Carrick supported by one of Cleverley, Fellaini or Fletcher. But as a foundation for feeding three attack-minded players, it was too slow. Moyes wished to protect his defence but it came at the greater cost of minimising his team’s offensive threat.
When Ryan Giggs became interim coach and reverted to the looser 4-4-2 (moving Rooney and Welbeck to their preferred positions and wishing to play with a higher tempo), he still had issues with utilising width – a hallmark of United teams. On one side, there was a traditional winger in Antonio Valencia but on the other, essentially by default, was Kagawa – the Japanese’ subtlety, awareness and eye for a pass marks him out as a fan favourite but his inability to play easily in a wide position inevitably leads to problems. It says much that Sir Alex Ferguson refused to pay the requisite price for the flexible Eden Hazard in the summer of 2012 and went for a cheaper and more limited option in Kagawa instead.
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Jon Super / AP/Press Association Images
Jon Super / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images
Even defensively, United struggled with shape because of injuries. Though Chris Smalling and Phil Jones were brought to the club as central defenders, last season they featured heavily as stand-in full-backs. Neither were afforded regular opportunities in the middle of the defence – their preferred roles. With both players comfortable on the ball and intelligent in possession at the back, they were repeatedly asked to drop into high-energy wide positions and get forward, offer overlaps and create opportunities for others. It wasn’t their remit.
So, Van Gaal has played to the squads’ strengths. New signing Luke Shaw slots effortlessly into a wing-back role while Valencia provides offensive threat and a resolute defensive mind (perhaps a Dirk Kuyt-type figure for Van Gaal at United).
Van Gaal is now able to play three genuine centre-backs (not using some as makeshift full-backs) which gives him the ability to drop in just one holding midfielder and one more all-round central ball-player. He’s identified Juan Mata as his preferred play-maker while he has already firmly committed to playing two strikers:
With the quality of the players we have, I can play 4-3-3 with three strikers on the bench, but want to play with two strikers.”
Importance of new signings:
Though Manchester United spent 37.5m euro on bringing in Luke Shaw from Southampton, they fully intend on getting their money’s worth. As a wing-back in Van Gaal’s system, there’s an incredible amount of work involved. Hard running is one thing but a player also needs the requisite intelligence to not over-commit in attack. But in a 3-4-3, it’s the wing-backs that essentially dictate the balance. It’s up to them to either push-up or drop-off and given Van Gaal seems set to play a top-three of Mata, Rooney and Van Persie, the emphasis is also going to be on the wing-backs to cling to the touchline and stretch the opponents’ defence or come in-field and keep things nice and narrow.
One other aspect that’s apparent straight away is the amount of options for United to aim at in the area. Under Moyes, there was a constant drop-off from players to the edge of the area as they attempted to play through defences. Already, there appears more flexibility – the ingredient Van Gaal’s methods revolve around.
Though Antonio Valencia also faces a tough season, he’s certainly a lot more experienced than Shaw and has switched between a more orthodox wide-right slot and a full-back position on numerous occasions.
The critical element in all of this is transition and getting used to the system. Last night at the Rose Bowl, the opposition weren’t up to much and it was the perfect environment for Valencia and Shaw to get used to the new roles. They handled the constant movement quite well and shuttled neatly between defence and more advanced positions.
Much was made of the departures of United’s more senior players during the off-season but certainly for the likes of Nemanja Vidic, having to get used to a three-man defence could’ve been a recipe for disaster. Yes, the club has lost big-game experience but, essentially, they’re starting from scratch with a new look and feel. However, this in itself will have a knock-on effect.
Jon Super / AP/Press Association Images
Jon Super / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images
Van Gaal likes players that can adapt to change. Prior to the World Cup, he and his coaching staff spent Mondays and Tuesdays watching hours of footage from the weekend’s games, carefully studying their players to see how flexible they would be if handed new systems and ways of playing. In Brazil, Van Gaal’s ability to switch players and tactics so quickly and efficiently was one of the most gripping aspects to the tournament and the way in which he won the round of 16 clash with Mexico with his tinkering and tutoring would’ve proved an immensely satisfying personal victory.
So, immediately there are some United players that should be wary of their futures at the club while Van Gaal will also feel that certain positions still need strengthening. Losing Patrice Evra was a blow and though Valencia and Rafael will battle for the right wing-back position, United don’t have much competition for Shaw on the other flank. 20 year-old Reece James, who scored a brace against LA last night, could be a genuine contender to feature more prominently this season, especially if Van Gaal feels the youngster has the intelligence required to fulfill the role. Tyler Blackett, who came on at half-time and played on the left-side of the defensive three, does have previous experience playing further forward but one can understand why Van Gaal’s would be interested in pursuing Ajax’s Daley Blind given his ability to play wide and centrally.
Natacha Pisarenko / AP/Press Association Images
Natacha Pisarenko / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images
Elsewhere, given Michael Carrick’s recent injury, United are still short in midfield and though his comeback has been nothing short of admirable, Darren Fletcher isn’t a long-term solution. Neither is Tom Cleverley who, in the space of one game, seems to have already been eclipsed by Ander Herrera. One thing Fletcher does offer is an ability to play in a couple of positions as emergency-cover but Cleverley can’t offer the same reassurances. It’s hard to see the club culling Marouane Fellaini after just one season, especially as it was so injury-hit though under such a tough task-master, the Belgian’s relaxed approach may count against him in the long-term.
/AP/Press Association Images
/AP/Press Association Images
Further up the field, Nani is an intriguing figure. Both he and Ashley Young seem to have survived by default. Without them, United lose two natural wide-players and it would appear that Young’s future is more concrete given his energy and defensive contributions. Shinji Kagawa will surely be retained to serve as a deputy to Juan Mata though there seems an inevitable conclusion to his career at Old Trafford.
Van Gaal’s appreciation for Mats Hummels is understandable given what he can bring to a back-three and the problems United face should one of Smalling, Evans and Jones get injured point to a substantial need for preferably two more defenders. A deal for Arsenal’s Thomas Vermaelen looks an increasingly intelligent move given his experience and flexibility while Van Gaal is bound to add a further midfielder to his ranks before the new season gets underway.
This article was originally published at 15.38, then updated at 17.30.
Analysis: What 3-4-3 means for Manchester United this season
MANCHESTER UNITED’S FIRST game under new manager Louis van Gaal went incredibly well. New signings blossomed, key players delivered, squad players made an impact and there was a glut of goals scored.
But more importantly, a side that has been so relentlessly based around 4-4-2 and its minor variations for so long offered a radical tactical switch. Van Gaal put his faith in the 3-4-3 formation he implemented with so much success as manager of the Dutch national team.
But what does this mean for Manchester United’s style of play ahead of the new campaign and what can we expect?
Playing to players’ strengths:
In the aftermath of the 0-7 thrashing of a hapless LA Galaxy side, Van Gaal was understandably ebullient. But when speaking about the system change, he offered a basic but illuminating reason for it:
Under David Moyes, United played a rigid 4-2-3-1 and it led to problems. Up top, there wasn’t room for a dual threat of Van Persie and Rooney. Behind them, there was space for one play-maker and two wide players. But, one slight snag: United had a litany of number 10s and inconsistent wingers. It led to the centrally-minded Shinji Kagawa being played out of position (as he was under Alex Ferguson too) where, unsurprisingly, he struggled. Danny Welbeck was usually pushed wide where his all-round energy was rightfully lauded but he wished to play through the middle and closer to goal. The formation ensured that wasn’t possible.
Behind them, there was a double-pivot, usually Carrick supported by one of Cleverley, Fellaini or Fletcher. But as a foundation for feeding three attack-minded players, it was too slow. Moyes wished to protect his defence but it came at the greater cost of minimising his team’s offensive threat.
When Ryan Giggs became interim coach and reverted to the looser 4-4-2 (moving Rooney and Welbeck to their preferred positions and wishing to play with a higher tempo), he still had issues with utilising width – a hallmark of United teams. On one side, there was a traditional winger in Antonio Valencia but on the other, essentially by default, was Kagawa – the Japanese’ subtlety, awareness and eye for a pass marks him out as a fan favourite but his inability to play easily in a wide position inevitably leads to problems. It says much that Sir Alex Ferguson refused to pay the requisite price for the flexible Eden Hazard in the summer of 2012 and went for a cheaper and more limited option in Kagawa instead.
Even defensively, United struggled with shape because of injuries. Though Chris Smalling and Phil Jones were brought to the club as central defenders, last season they featured heavily as stand-in full-backs. Neither were afforded regular opportunities in the middle of the defence – their preferred roles. With both players comfortable on the ball and intelligent in possession at the back, they were repeatedly asked to drop into high-energy wide positions and get forward, offer overlaps and create opportunities for others. It wasn’t their remit.
So, Van Gaal has played to the squads’ strengths. New signing Luke Shaw slots effortlessly into a wing-back role while Valencia provides offensive threat and a resolute defensive mind (perhaps a Dirk Kuyt-type figure for Van Gaal at United).
Van Gaal is now able to play three genuine centre-backs (not using some as makeshift full-backs) which gives him the ability to drop in just one holding midfielder and one more all-round central ball-player. He’s identified Juan Mata as his preferred play-maker while he has already firmly committed to playing two strikers:
Importance of new signings:
Though Manchester United spent 37.5m euro on bringing in Luke Shaw from Southampton, they fully intend on getting their money’s worth. As a wing-back in Van Gaal’s system, there’s an incredible amount of work involved. Hard running is one thing but a player also needs the requisite intelligence to not over-commit in attack. But in a 3-4-3, it’s the wing-backs that essentially dictate the balance. It’s up to them to either push-up or drop-off and given Van Gaal seems set to play a top-three of Mata, Rooney and Van Persie, the emphasis is also going to be on the wing-backs to cling to the touchline and stretch the opponents’ defence or come in-field and keep things nice and narrow.
One other aspect that’s apparent straight away is the amount of options for United to aim at in the area. Under Moyes, there was a constant drop-off from players to the edge of the area as they attempted to play through defences. Already, there appears more flexibility – the ingredient Van Gaal’s methods revolve around.
Though Antonio Valencia also faces a tough season, he’s certainly a lot more experienced than Shaw and has switched between a more orthodox wide-right slot and a full-back position on numerous occasions.
The critical element in all of this is transition and getting used to the system. Last night at the Rose Bowl, the opposition weren’t up to much and it was the perfect environment for Valencia and Shaw to get used to the new roles. They handled the constant movement quite well and shuttled neatly between defence and more advanced positions.
Players arriving and departing:
Much was made of the departures of United’s more senior players during the off-season but certainly for the likes of Nemanja Vidic, having to get used to a three-man defence could’ve been a recipe for disaster. Yes, the club has lost big-game experience but, essentially, they’re starting from scratch with a new look and feel. However, this in itself will have a knock-on effect.
Van Gaal likes players that can adapt to change. Prior to the World Cup, he and his coaching staff spent Mondays and Tuesdays watching hours of footage from the weekend’s games, carefully studying their players to see how flexible they would be if handed new systems and ways of playing. In Brazil, Van Gaal’s ability to switch players and tactics so quickly and efficiently was one of the most gripping aspects to the tournament and the way in which he won the round of 16 clash with Mexico with his tinkering and tutoring would’ve proved an immensely satisfying personal victory.
So, immediately there are some United players that should be wary of their futures at the club while Van Gaal will also feel that certain positions still need strengthening. Losing Patrice Evra was a blow and though Valencia and Rafael will battle for the right wing-back position, United don’t have much competition for Shaw on the other flank. 20 year-old Reece James, who scored a brace against LA last night, could be a genuine contender to feature more prominently this season, especially if Van Gaal feels the youngster has the intelligence required to fulfill the role. Tyler Blackett, who came on at half-time and played on the left-side of the defensive three, does have previous experience playing further forward but one can understand why Van Gaal’s would be interested in pursuing Ajax’s Daley Blind given his ability to play wide and centrally.
Elsewhere, given Michael Carrick’s recent injury, United are still short in midfield and though his comeback has been nothing short of admirable, Darren Fletcher isn’t a long-term solution. Neither is Tom Cleverley who, in the space of one game, seems to have already been eclipsed by Ander Herrera. One thing Fletcher does offer is an ability to play in a couple of positions as emergency-cover but Cleverley can’t offer the same reassurances. It’s hard to see the club culling Marouane Fellaini after just one season, especially as it was so injury-hit though under such a tough task-master, the Belgian’s relaxed approach may count against him in the long-term.
Further up the field, Nani is an intriguing figure. Both he and Ashley Young seem to have survived by default. Without them, United lose two natural wide-players and it would appear that Young’s future is more concrete given his energy and defensive contributions. Shinji Kagawa will surely be retained to serve as a deputy to Juan Mata though there seems an inevitable conclusion to his career at Old Trafford.
Van Gaal’s appreciation for Mats Hummels is understandable given what he can bring to a back-three and the problems United face should one of Smalling, Evans and Jones get injured point to a substantial need for preferably two more defenders. A deal for Arsenal’s Thomas Vermaelen looks an increasingly intelligent move given his experience and flexibility while Van Gaal is bound to add a further midfielder to his ranks before the new season gets underway.
This article was originally published at 15.38, then updated at 17.30.
United to play 3-4-3 this season, says Van Gaal
United make winning start under Van Gaal against Robbie Keane’s Galaxy
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Daley Blind David Moyes Editor's picks Formation Louis van Gaal Manchester United Ryan Giggs shinji kagawa Sir Alex Ferguson Talking Tactics